WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Bart Gordon joined fellow members of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition in releasing a comprehensive plan aimed at cutting spending and balancing the budget.

“Families across Tennessee are tightening their belts and making every dollar count. The federal government must do the same,” Gordon said. “The Blue Dogs’ plan hits on policies I have supported throughout my career, including reducing the deficit and restoring pay-as-you-go principles in Congress.”

Gordon applauded the blueprint’s focus on measures to balance the budget, reduce the deficit and improve transparency. Specifically, the blueprint calls for the restoration of the pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) rules, which force Congress to account for spending dollar-for-dollar rather than pay for programs with increased foreign debt. Gordon was a strong supporter of the original initiative in 1990, which is widely credited with bringing about the federal budget surpluses of the 1990s. Gordon also voted to codify the rule last summer in the House of Representatives.

“PAYGO and the other budget reform tools outlined here are based on proven results and enjoy bipartisan support,” Gordon said. “Now is the time for Democrats and Republicans to come together to get federal spending back under control and get our economy back on track.”

Gordon has worked closely with the Blue Dog Coalition to promote fiscal responsibility and bring a bipartisan voice to the national economic debate. For more information about the Blueprint for Fiscal Reform, please visit www.house.gov/melancon/BlueDogs/.